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JUST IN: Reps Probe ₦1.5bn Allegedly Diverted By Women Affairs Ministry

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The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development is probing the ₦1.5bn meant for the payment of contractors, but allegedly diverted by principal officers of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The Director of Finance of the ministry, Aloy Ifeakandu, during an interactive session with the committee on Thursday, said he only complied with official directives from his superiors, saying the records were available.The session followed a petition by contractors of the ministry to the House of Representatives, over non-payment of contracts executed running into billions of naira.Speaking during the interactive session, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara alluded that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted (₦1.5bn) funds for old contractors.She added that the ministry while owing contractors, awarded fresh contracts in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation.

“Money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors” She asked.She said there is an ongoing probe of the ministry by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on overhead release of November/December, 2023, to the tune of ₦1.5bn.The petitioners, according to Ogbara also alleged that the ministry purchased seven tricycles for a military Barack in Abuja, an allegation a procurement officer of the ministry denied.Continuing, the committee noted that the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the American University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls’ school fees for seven years.

Responding to some of the allegations, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda who exonerated himself, explained that in “2023 we had a total budget of ₦13.6bn. The total release was ₦3.4bn, translating to 25 per cent, budget utilisation ₦3.4bn, while unreleased balance stood at N10.2bn”.However, the DFA, said “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.“The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote” he said.Amidst the controversy, correspondence from the office of the Accountant General of the federation revealed that the said ₦1.5 bn has been released to the ministry.

“Since the minister came on board, no payment has been made, the permanent secretary said the minister ordered him not to pay any contractor” the petitioners said.Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the minister of women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear on Tuesday.“We are giving till Tuesday for the ministry to bring all documents to come and defend where the N1.5bn disappeared to”.The committee also ordered the ministry to stop all contract processes in 2024, “until we resolve this matter”.Additionally, the committee also sought to see the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.“We want to see the account and documents” Ogbara added

Crime

BREAKING: Village Head Killed, Others Abducted in Suspected Herdsmen Attack on Tiv Community in Nasarawa

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Suspected herdsmen have launched a deadly attack late Sunday night on Tse Yange, a Tiv-dominated community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attackers reportedly killed the village head and abducted several residents during the raid.

It was gathered that the gunemn stormed the agrarian community on motorbikes in the night, unleashing terror and destruction.

An eyewitness revealed that the assault lasted into the early hours of Monday, leaving many people injured and several homes deserted.

As of the time of this report, the exact number of those abducted and injured remains unclear.

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Crime

BREAKING: Scores dead, Many injured as suspected herdsmen attack Benue capital

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An unconfirmed number of people have been reported killed, with many others injured, following a deadly overnight attack by suspected herdsmen on Mtsewnem, Akondutyough village in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

According to reports, the assailants stormed the community around 3:00 a.m., attacking residents in their sleep.

Reacting to the incident, humanitarian worker and human rights advocate, Ukan Kurugh, described the attack as “deeply disturbing.”

He said, “At 3:00 a.m. today, I received a heartbreaking distress call, accompanied by chilling video footage and photographs of yet another suspected herdsmen attack.

“This time, the horror unfolded in North Bank, less than a 40-minute drive from Makurdi town.

“These brazen attackers continue to strike with impunity, undeterred by the presence of state and federal authorities. They have defied the President, the Governor, and our entire security apparatus.

“To the wounded and to the families who lost loved ones, my heart grieves with you. Your pain is our pain. We will not turn away.

We will not be silent. We are wide awake and we will continue to speak, to mourn, and to demand action.”

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command PRO, Edet Udeme were not successful as of the time of this report.

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Court Orders Remand of 34 Individuals Over Alaba Rago Street Trading

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At least 34 persons have been remanded in prison custody by a Magistrate Court sitting in Bolade Oshodi on Tuesday till July 22.

The traders were arrested for engaging in street trading along the median of the Alaba Rago -Ojo on the Lagos -Badagry Expressway.

According to reports, the arraigned persons made up of 32 male and 2 female were arrested over the weekend in an operation by KAI and LAWMA operatives to clean and clear the median of the Alaba Rago Ojo road which has been taken over by different traders that have erected illegal structures.

Some of those arrested include miscreants who slept in makeshift shed errected on the median to perpetrate crime in that area.

Those arrested and arraigned were identified as Ibrahim Abu – 35yrsIsiaka Ashafa – 31yrsShaibu Isa – 55yrs.Abubakar Haruna – 29yrs, Aminu Haruna – 21yrs, Aminu Abdullahi – 20yrs, Zakariyahu Yahusa- 50yrs, Sunmola Musa – 25yrsSamsideen Ali – 21yrs.

Others include Anthony Oyibo – 68yrs, Abubakar Yusuf- 25yrs,Muhammed Oseni – 27yrs, Aliu Mohammed – 45yrs, Lookman Adebayo – 43yrs, Igudu Ibrahim – 25yrs Awalu Umar – 25yrs, Sani Babangida – 25yrs, Abdullahi Usman – 24yrs, Aliu Ibrahim – 25yrs Roland David – 19yrs, David Timothy – 18yrs, Yusuf Adamu – 23yrs, Abdulsalam Sanusi – 25yrs, Nura Yusuf – 25yrs, Idris Isa – 23yrs, Nasiru Ali – 25yrs, Mayi Daniel – 22yrs Isaac Samuel – 25yrs, Yahaya Mamuda – 18yrs, Salisu Ibrahim – 28yrs, Yusuf Adamu – 20yrs, Abdullahi Musa – 20yrs, Fadipe Bose – 33yrs – Female and Ebere Ndubuisi – 35yrs – Female.

While speaking on the development, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, reiterated the resolve of the present administration to enforce the law on all those who exhibit deviant behaviours.

He urged all residents to exhibit the minimum standard of decency by contributing to a cleaner and sustainable Lagos.

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